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Jessica Vitalis stopped by to talk about writing The Wolf’s Curse. We talked about research, played some games, and discussed our apathy about killing our characters. Someone’s got to go, you know? Give it a listen then go get yourself a copy of The Wolf’s Curse.
Objects – All By My Shelf
“I am obsessed with this story!”–Erin Entrada Kelly, author of the Newbery Honor book We Dream of Space
“Boldly tells readers to take a closer look at the stories they’re told–not to mention at the wolves that might be lurking in the shadows. A clear-eyed, big-hearted fable of compassion, friendship, and love.”–Anne Ursu, author of The Real Boy
“A lyrical tale of loss and survival, tradition and belief, in which tension and secrets build like a towering wave.”–Diane Magras, author of The Mad Wolf’s Daughter
“A fable as polished and timeless as a fine wooden toy.”–Catherine Gilbert Murdock, author of the Newbery Honor book The Book of Boy
Shunned by his fearful village, a twelve-year-old apprentice embarks on a surprising quest to clear his name, with a mythic–and dangerous–wolf following closely at his heels. Jessica Vitalis’s debut is a gorgeous, voice-driven literary fantasy about family, fate, and long-held traditions. The Wolf’s Curse will engross readers of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and A Wish in the Dark.
Gauge’s life has been cursed since the day he cried Wolf and was accused of witchcraft. The Great White Wolf brings only death, Gauge’s superstitious village believes. If Gauge can see the Wolf, then he must be in league with it.
So instead of playing with friends in the streets or becoming his grandpapa’s partner in the carpentry shop, Gauge must hide and pretend he doesn’t exist. But then the Wolf comes for his grandpapa. And for the first time, Gauge is left all alone, with a bounty on his head and the Wolf at his heels.
A young feather collector named Roux offers Gauge assistance, and he is eager for the help. But soon the two–both recently orphaned–are questioning everything they have ever believed about their village, about the Wolf, and about death itself.
Narrated by the sly, crafty Wolf, Jessica Vitalis’s debut novel is a vivid and literary tale about family, friendship, belonging, and grief. The Wolf’s Curse will captivate readers of Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island and Molly Knox Ostertag’s The Witch Boy.
Never Have I Ever Spoiled My Own Book
Guests are given a series of tropes based on their upcoming or recently published work as well as stereotypical writerly things to do (EXAMPLE: Never have I ever written at a coffee shop, Never have I ever written a smoking gun, etc). If they have done more than half of the scenarios, they have to spoil something from their book.
*Marked scores indicate interviews with spoilers.
| Author | Book | Date | Score |
| Michelle Mason (interview) | Your Life Has Been Delayed | 8/30/21 | 5/10* |
| Hayley Krischer (interview) | The Falling Girls | 10/15/21 | 6/10* |
| Soman Chainani (interview) | Beasts & Beauty: Dangerous Tales | 9/18/21 | 6/10* |
| Jessica Vitalis (interview) | The Wolf’s Curse | 9/10/21 | 6/10* |
| Carly Heath (interview) | The Reckless Kind | 2/5/22 | 7/10* |
| Brandie June (interview) | Gold Spun | 6/26/21 | 8/10* |
Spelling Bee
In this game, guests are given 10 commonly misspelled words. They must spell the words correctly and the game ends when they make a mistake.
| Author | Book | Date | Score |
| Jessica Vitalis (interview) | The Wolf’s Curse | 9/10/21 | 7/10 |
| Lisa Frenkel Riddiough (interview) | Elvis and the World as it Stands | 10/24/21 | 5/10 |
| Hayley Krischer (interview) | The Falling Girls | 10/15/21 | 3/10 |
| Carly Heath (interview) | The Reckless Kind | 2/5/22 | 2/10 |
